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Visit Monte Sante Marie - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

The Monte Sante Marie tourist ranking is calculated by the VisitItaly team considering a considerable amount of factors and values that characterize the destination, the quality of its tourist offer. The ranking is a score expressed in hundredths on a national basis which is periodically updated to be always up-to-date and to best represent the quality Italian tourist offer.

Are you planning your vacation in Monte Sante Marie, Italy? Are you looking for all the touristic information on Monte Sante Marie? On Visit Italy you find tourist guides written by the editorial staff and travel experiences of travellers who, like you, have chosen Monte Sante Marie as a destination for a trip or for their holidays. Discover Monte Sante Marie top travel tips with Visititaly's suggestions, recommendations, travel advice and all things to know about Monte Sante Marie.

Travel guides and videos

Murlo (17,8Km)Murlo, the Middle Ages in the Sienese lands

Murlo (17,8Km)Murlo, a journey into the Etruscan world

Siena (18Km)Siena veni vinum bebit

Siena (18Km)Siena the beauty of the city

Siena (18Km)One day at the Palio

Siena (18Km)Piazza del Campo between history and modernity

Pienza (25Km)Municipality of Pienza, tourism and history

Montalcino (25,3Km)Montalcino — Brunello, but not only

Montepulciano (27,8Km)Montepulciano, city with “noble” wine

Montepulciano (27,8Km)A territory of “Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin”

Murlo, the Middle Ages in the Sienese lands

Murlo, medieval village

Murlo is located in the southwest part of the province of Siena in an ideal position, on hills ranging from 300 to 500 meters above sea level in most part covered by vegetation with the characteristics of the Mediterranean scrub. The town is located in a strategic position compared to other places of great historical, artistic and economic importance in Tuscany. In the territory there are important Etruscan settlements but the main feature is given by the Castle, an ancient episcopal see.

It stands on a hill 317 meters above sea level, in a happy dominant position between the gentle cultivated hills of the Crete Senesi and those impervious and wooded of the Maremma. The view ranges, in fact, on one side on the deep valley of the Crevole for a large part cloaked with woods and with a wide view towards the wooded metal hills, on the other precisely on the Crete with one beautiful panorama as far as the eye can see.

The Castle of Murlo corresponds to the ancient main center of the Bishopric of which we have news since the year 1000. Murlo has not had any growth in modern times, so it looks unchanged as the centuries have delivered it with its old houses built on the circuit of the ancient walls and for this reason & amp; nbsp; still retains all the charm and appearance of an ancient fortified center.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 29/10/2021

Murlo, a journey into the Etruscan world

Murlo, characteristic square in the center of the village

On this trip to Tuscany, I am interested in the archaeological area of Poggio Civitate. Here there are finds of architecture dating back to the extruscan era. The Etruscans have populated Murlo since the 7th century BC. In this archaeological complex, various excavation campaigns to which, among others, collaborates the University of Massachusetts Amherst, brought to light the remains of two important buildings, one oriental and the other archaic, as well as a great deal of objects in ivory, bone, ceramic, bronze and alabaster, all preserved in the Civic Archaeological Museum of Murlo. The Museum is also home to an important laboratory of archaeometrics and experimental archaeology, highly esteemed by foreign researchers. The Antiquarium of Poggio Civitate, on top of a hill in front of the Castle of Murlo, collects the materials recovered from the excavations of the Etruscan buildings of Poggio Civitate. It was the scholar Ranuccio Bandinelli who had the intuition that an Etruscan 'treasure' was hidden in this area. The excavations demonstrated the validity of his idea, with one of the most important discoveries of Etruscan civilization. One of the most interesting testimonies is the reconstruction of an Etruscan roof with tiles equipped with drippers, with terracotta statues of human size that adorned the roof itself and between this is the famous' Chapel 'that has become the symbol of Murlo.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 29/10/2021

Siena veni vinum bebit

Traditional shop of Brunello di Montalcino, Siena

A collective bicycle tour is well as allowing you to appreciate the beauty closely territorial, helps keep everyone in shape and if the fixed goal is one of the wineries that allow you to taste their wine the return will appear less strenuous and more funny.

The vineyards of the area of Siena give rise to some of the best Italian wines including Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Colli Senesi, or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano all these wines are perfect to accompany a improvised barbecue in the garden based on Fiorentina (typical meal).

Certainly is not the case of losing the opportunity to visit the historic center of Siena with its major monuments such as the Basilica of San Domenico, where they are kept for centuries the relics of St. Catherine, going along the path of via Francigena. The visit to the Monte dei Paschi, historical site of the oldest bank in Europe, Piazza Tolomei, elegant palaces and noble that lead to the Cattedrale dell’Assunta. And finally the stage is in the heart of the Piazza del Campo.

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Siena the beauty of the city

Siena, Montereggioni

The beauty of the city of Siena and of the landscape allowed to restore immediately the inner balance and peace with oneself ... to discover the simplicity of the little things that make life great everyday.

To help recovery highly recommend to women over thirty like me to unplug the phone, to shut in one of the spas in the area to returned renewed in appearance and spirit.

Do not overlook the pleasure of a shopping day in the handicraft shops of the center inf the main streets like Via di Citta, Via Banchi di Sopra and Montanini where committed professional and polite, advise you on the best that could be for you the best purchase.

In the city you can also find agencies where hire bicycles for a day to a full immersion in the countryside, among vineyards and nature long tree-lined avenues that characterizes the immense beauty of the landscape surrounding the city.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 15/11/2021

One day at the Palio

Il Palio di Siena

Siena citizens seemed to be mad about the Palio: the tranquillity and calm of the city I read about before leaving does not reflect the enthusiasm growing up in the days of this extraordinary event, when you can feel by yourself the growing excitement of the ride.

The Palio I assisted to was the July one (2nd of July 2017, the other one is traditionally held on August 16th): a lot and lot of events are presented in the days and weeks before the Palio and up to 6 warm up rides are held to make the horses feel comfortable with Piazza del Campo’s location and the excited standing crowd. Unfortunately I only assisted to the main ride, but it has been a moment I will remember for my entire life: me and my girlfriend spent hours and hours (probably 7, I don’t exactly remember) waiting in the middle of Piazza del Campo for taking the best available places since the morning.

The horses entered in the square when the sun was still high in the sky and all the people began to go mad and have fun supporting their own teams, each of them representing one of the City’s areas. Before the start many and many tests have been made: the man standing next to me explained me that if the horses are not in line (each of them in its own area) in front of the start rope the ride could not have been made begin.

Once the ride started it all happened very quickly: you can hear nothing because of people’s shouting but you can undertsand quite good how the ride is going following the crowd’s excitement.

The Palio I assisted to has been won by the City area of The Goose, and my best memory is with no doubt the night of feasts and parties for the streets of Siena with the “contradaioli” of the winning team!

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 15/11/2021

Piazza del Campo between history and modernity

Siena, Piazza del Campo

I went for the first time in Siena last summer, just in the days before the Palio. I arrived in the end of June, some days before the first Palio of the year, which is traditionally held on July 2nd and repeated on August 16th. Siena is one of the most suggestive Italian cities I visited.

I remember a couple of wonderful days passed in this extraordinary city, wandering in Piazza del Campo with the sun fading on the surrounding medieval buildings. Piazza del Campo is characterized by a slope giving it an unusual depth, and walking in the square full of people lying in the sun (even if lying in the square is actually forbidden) is a really curious experience.

For those who have the will, trying the climb to the 400th step of the Torre del Mangia is a challenge to make: you can not miss it when you arrive in the square. Over the phisycal effort, if you want to get in the Tower you have also to be ready to spend: the entrance ticket costs about 7 Euros, a bit expensive even if the view from the top is very suggestive!

The square is populated by children, students, mature couples and tourists who can sit or lie down on the bricks of the study center for excellence in Siena. In summer through the narrow streets surrounding Piazza del Campo you can recover from the heat while enjoying one of the many flavors of ice cream you can taste in Siena: really charming place, which help the soul be quiet and lighter.

When I visited Piazza del Campo Wi-fi Internet connection was available in the square for free, a perfect incentive if you want to find a place where to work, study or just relax in the sunshine, especially during summer.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 15/11/2021

Municipality of Pienza, tourism and history

Tourist visiting Pienza

Anyone who is passionate about art history or simply a passionate tourist, sooner or later, should come to Tuscany to visit Pienza, one of the most wonderful examples of Renaissance urban planning.

Pienza, in fact, was completely transformed at the time of Pius II who decided to transform her hometown, which at the time was called Corsignano, into a city ideal of the Renaissance to which the name of Pienza was given.
Almost everything that is interesting to visit is located along the main street, Corso Rosselino: the Duomo, the Church of San Francesco, the Town Hall, the Bishop's Palace and the stately buildings are worth a long stop to admire the details and decorations.

Many of the buildings were built by one of the most famous architects of the time so much so that instead of calling it 'the city of Pius II' it is could name it “the city of Rosselino”. He was an Italian architect and sculptor. A real artist. One of his works is the splendid Palazzo Piccolomini — at the time a papal residence.

From the small, Renaissance roof garden, which forms the integral part of the building, extends the breathtaking view of the entire Val d'Orcia: fields, vineyards and olive groves.

Pienza is also famous for some gastronomic specialties. The first part of the Rosselino course is dotted with numerous grocery stores where you can buy oil, cold cuts and cheeses including the famous pecorino cheese.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 29/10/2021

Montalcino — Brunello, but not only

Montalcino, medieval city in the province of Siena

I'm sure if I asked you what this Tuscan town is famous for, you would answer me: by Brunello! And it would also be the right answer, but unlike what you might think, at the entrance of Montalcino there is the inscription 'the city of honey'. Yes, the town is one of the first Tuscan producers of sweet nectar and, even, produces 1% of Italian honey. It is the product so important that at the beginning of September the 'Honey Week' takes place, which attracts farmers and experts in the field.

Tourists come to Montalcino for wine (not only for Brunello, but also for Rosso di Montalcino and Moscadello) that they can buy in local wine bars, but also attracted by medieval beauty of the village that has preserved its plant intact surrounded by the walls of which is part of the imposing fortress with towers, from which extends a landscape of gentle hills, lonely farmhouses and rows of cypress trees.

The heart and center of the social life of the town is Piazza del Popolo, which groups late medieval buildings, the Palazzo dei Priori with the tower and the loggias and, little far away, the convent of Saint Augustine with the homonymous church, the cathedral and the church of the Madonna del Soccorso. The surroundings of Montalcino are also interesting. Those who come here cannot leave without seeing the Abbey of Sant'Antimo which alone is worth the effort of the journey.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 15/09/2021

Montepulciano, city with “noble” wine

Montepulciano, sometimes cellar with barrels

South of Siena, in the Tuscany region, there is an enchanting city famous in the world for the excellent wine that is produced here, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano docg file.
This is a city, like many in Italy, lying on a hill from which you can admire all the vineyards and olive groves that surround it.
So much linked to the cultivation of noble wine that in the city there are still ancient cellars, among which stands out the famous Redi winery located in the subteranneans of one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in the city, Palazzo Ricci.

Cantina that takes its name from the doctor, naturalist and poet Francesco Redi who celebrated Montepulciano wine in his fun ditirambo Bacchus in Tuscany celebrated the wine of Montepulciano as the manna of Montepulciano. This is a real temple of wine where in sacred silence the wine undergoes a particular aging in oak barrels, making it that wine so admired and envied all over the world.

City that still offers medieval atmospheres today, it is beautiful and fascinating to walk through its streets, where you can admire excellent examples of Renaissance art of the its elegant and sumptuous palaces. From this enchanting feature that the city takes its nickname as a city pearl of the Renaissance.

Through the city gate, Porta Prato to enter the old city, trapping one of the many climbs that takes me to the central square, Piazza Grande, where I can admire the 15th century cathedral and the beautiful palace of the municipality, as well as numerous Renaissance style palaces give a charm intriguing and ancient.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 28/10/2021

A territory of “Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin”

Landscape of Montepulciano

The beautiful territory of Montepulciano, frequented by tourists from all over the globe, who go there to discover the flavors and beauties of its valleys: the Val D& rsquo; Orcia and Val di Chiana. Imagine visiting a winery and savoring wines while admiring an extraordinary panorama of hills and valleys: welcome to the exquisite territory of Tuscany, welcome to Montelpuciano. A food and wine journey is completed by the tasting of the Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G, which has always been a high-end product for the ; rsquo; Italian and world enology. It keeps well for 4-6 years. It goes well with meats, especially red. With a dry flavor, it is ideal served at a temperature between 18 and 20 degrees. Montepulciano offers the opportunity to walk the wine route, with tastings (by appointment) and to visit the lands of the film sets of the English Patient , The Gladiator and New Moon, accompanied by the Nobile di Montepulciano and a rich dish of pici, pasta absolutely to taste in the Sienese territory.

scritto da TzwSVsOw TzwSVsOw - ultima modifica il 28/10/2021

Visit Monte Sante Marie - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

Travel guides and videos

Murlo (17,8Km)Murlo, the Middle Ages in the Sienese lands

Murlo (17,8Km)Murlo, a journey into the Etruscan world

Siena (18Km)Siena veni vinum bebit

Siena (18Km)Siena the beauty of the city

Siena (18Km)One day at the Palio

Siena (18Km)Piazza del Campo between history and modernity

Pienza (25Km)Municipality of Pienza, tourism and history

Montalcino (25,3Km)Montalcino — Brunello, but not only

Montepulciano (27,8Km)Montepulciano, city with “noble” wine

Montepulciano (27,8Km)A territory of “Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin”

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